SEDGLEY Park travelled to Gloucestershire to take on Lydney in a top of the table versus bottom clash.

From the kick-off Lydney pressed and won several line-outs before Ian Voortman relieved the pressure with a fine run into the home territory. The visitors had a fine passing movement and Chris Glynn was tackled into touch near the line. Lydney hit back and were awarded a penalty inside the 22, which Adam Westall converted. 3-0.

Arno de Jager put Sedgley on the attack with an outside break, but Sedgley were penalised to not releasing the ball. Voortman was causing problems for the Lydney defence and from another break the home side were penalised and Ryno Euckerman levelled the scores with a fine kick.

At this stage Lydney were looking more like the table-topping team as the Sedgley Park scrum was under pressure, and poor tackling allowed Charlie Vine to score out wide from a fine threequarter move, which Westall converted. Lydney 10, Park 3.

Sedgley were over-elaborating and some good moves came to nought. Lydney's enthusiasm was keeping them in the game, and they went further in front when Sedgley were penalised for slow feed at a line-out, and Julian Hill dropped a goal, 13-3.

Sedgley applied some pressure and from a tap penalty Chris Wilkinson found Paul Arnold, who crashed over the line for a try which Euckerman converted. 13-10.

Just before half-time Sedgley were again penalised and Westall converted to give Lydney a 16-10 lead at the interval.

The visitors started the second period in fine form, but some loose passing cost them ground, and the referee was not in favour of the Sedgley Park play and continually penalised them. From ne of these penalties Westall missed an easy kick and in desperation Sedgley brought on substitute Huw Thomas, Dave McCormick and Richard Oxley. Immediately McCormick put Sedgley deep into the home territory with a great kick, and from the line-out some close passing enabled Glynn to cross for a good try. Euckerman hit the upright from the touchline conversion attempt. 16-15.

The visitors were now coming more into the game, and Euckerman was held up a meter short, the ball was moved infield, and McCormick skipped over for a try, which Euckerman converted. 16-22.

Lydney came back on attack and after a series of penalties, Westall converted, to put the home team within three points of the league leaders.

From the kick-off, Sedgley failed to defend, and Lydney were back in the visitors' 22. Inevitably another penalty was awarded against Park, which Westall converted, to level the scores at 22-22.

Lydney continued to press and the visitors found it hard to get out of their own territory, and the final whistle brought to an end a scrappy game.

This was a below standard performance from Sedgley Park, who were lucky to escape with a point.